Ultra-Slim Viewing Tower Rises 66 Feet Over the River Vecht in The Netherlands

There's something so reflective about viewing nature from on high - like a plane, or in this case, a viewing tower designed by Eindhoven-based architecture firm Ateliereen. Commissioned by the Dalfsen municipality in The Netherlands, this 66 foot viewing tower clad in slim timber slats has a light steel frame and staircase.

Lacking a foundation, the observation tower has a tiny footprint. This is especially appropriate for a structure designed to harness visitors’ appreciation for the surrounding forest and the Vecht river. As visitors ascend the tower, space between the wooden slats narrows, creating a sense of intrigue as they are forced to peer through the gaps.

Finally a platform levels out at 59 feet with sloping sides that enhances the 360 degree views. A high back on the platform ensures that birds residing in the adjacent forest are protected from undue interference. Completed just this month, the viewing tower blends in with the forest, establishing a renewed connectedness between visitors and the natural environment.